Automobile lock



July 19, 1932. o. s. HERSHEY AUTOMOBILE LOCK Original Filed May 20, 1927 ill!!!rill!IIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIII'III!!! rllilfllllllllil Patented July 19, 1932 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE ORVILLE S. HERSHEY, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS, ASSIGNOR, BY MESNE ASSIGNMENTS, TO OAKES PRODUCTS CORPORATION, OF NORTH CEICAGO, ILLINOIS, A CORPORATION OF MICHIGAN AUTOMOBILE Loci:

Application filed May 20, 1927, Serial No. 192,931.

This invention relates to a coincidental lock adapted for automobiles generally and is designed particularly for association with one of the operating units thereof. It may be connected with a steering mechanism, a change speed mechanism, a motor ignition circuit, or any other unit or system whose operation is required in the use of a motor ve- .hicle.

The embodiment of my invention herein disclosed includes a switch which may be interposed in the motor ignition circuit. Such a switch it designed to be opened, thereby rendering the motor inoperative, whenever the lock is operated to interfere with use of an associated mechanism.

The present invention is concerned with certain improved features in the connection between the lock and switch by which the latter may be opened or closed independently of any lock operation; it provides also for a twostage operation in which actuation of the switch must precede movement of the lock, or vice-versa. This successive operation is effected through double control means requiring separate manipulation before both stages of operation can be completed. Objects such as these, as well as others which will hereinafter appear, are set forth in the accompanying drawing wherein I have illustrated a suggestive construction in the manner following:

Figure 1 is a transverse section through a steering column with which is associated the present look a top plan view of which is presented;

Fig. 2 is an end elevation of the lock in its entirety;

Fig. 3 is a fragmentary longitudinal section through the steering column and associated lock, taken on line 83 of Fig. l

Fig. 4 is a transverse section thercthrough taken on line 4-4 of Fig. 1

Fig. 5 is a perspective View of the assembly forming the movable switch element;

Fig. 6 is a View. in elevation of the outer face of the switch closure;

Fig. 7 is a similar view of the inner face thereof;

Fig. 8 is a View in elevation looking into the Renewed September 28', 1931.

The present lock may be contained within a housing A which, in the form shown, is

provided with a split collar 11 adapted to surround a steering column B. Extending within the column is the usual post G for connecting the steering wheel with the swiveled running wheels at the front of the vehicle.

T he collar ends may be drawn toward each other, as by means of a bolt 12, so as to be tightly clamped upon the column. Secured fast to the post C is a bushing D wherein is a groove or socket 14 which-may be brought into register with a corresponding opening formed in the column. Extending laterally from the lock housing is an arm 15 forming a bracket for connection with the dash or instrument board or other fixed part of the vehicle, whereby to support the column in place.

\Vithin the lock housing is a cylindrical aperture wherein is mounted a hollow plungor 16 equipped at its outer end with a laterally extending handle 17 forming an operating lever by which oscillatory movements are controlled. VVithin the plunger is slidingly received a locking bolt 18 flattened on one side to provide a recess having at one end a stop shoulder with which may engage a plate 19 carried by the plunger. By this means I limit the movement of the bolt outwardly from the plunger. A compression spring 20 within the plunger bears with pressure against one end of the bolt so as to project the same yieldingly to a locking position.

Reciprocatory movements of the plunger are controlled by a lock cylinder 21 operable with the key 22 which is specially designed shall be removable from the lock cylinder only f v is opposite to that of the pin 28.

in either of its extreme positions which, as shown, are 180 apart.

The lock structure just described is one which is admirably suited for the purpose of this invention. It may include also a position indicator in the form of a double walled disk 25 slidable within a guideway 2-6 which is disposed across the face of the lock housing, as shown best in Fig. 1. Through an aperture 27 in the guideway appropriate characters carried on the disk are exposed to view. This disk is shifted within the guideway in response to movements of the plunger through the instrumentality of a laterally extending pin 28 which engages slidably within an'obl que slot (not shown) in one wall of the disk. By this construction the disk is caused to shift its position within the guideway whenever the plunger is reciprocated or oscillated.

As part of the bolt assembly I provide also asecond pin 30 which may be extended laterally from the plunger in a directon which This latter pin 30 accordingly projects toward the rear or under side of the lock housing where I have provided a slot 31 extending through the wall thereof in parallelism with the axis of the plunger. This slot is open at the end adjacent the control lever 17 to allow entrance of the pin 30 when the plunger is assembled within the lock housing. It is also desirable ,to utilize a detentwhich may take the form of a spring pressed ball 32 adapted to he within either of two grooves 33 which are extended longitudinally of the plunger so as to maintain the plunger yieldingly in either of its oscillated positions.

No claims to the-lock structure ]ust described are here advanced. It is here shown and described in detail for a better understanding of its co-operation with a switch mechanism which is adapted for association therewith, and, in a measure, for controlling the operation thereof. The details of this switch construction will now be described. As shown, I have provided a box E which may conveniently be formed of sheet metal with a bottom 35-having upstanding marginal walls 36 forming an enclosure on all sides.

except the top. This enclosure is completed b mounting over the top a closure 37, prefera ly of insulating material, formed with a Y marginal recess in which is received the edge of the box walls 36. With the parts assembled as shown in Figs 3 and 4, the closure is accurately centered upon the box in a fixed position. It may be held in place by screws 1 38 which pass through the closure and also through the box bottom for threaded engagement within sockets which are formed in the lock housing. These screws, therefore, serve to demountahly hold the closure in place upon the switch box and to fasten this box in its entirety to the lock housing. 0

Carried by the closure are two threaded posts 40 the heads 41 of which are disposed upon the inner face thereof, and preferably in substantially flush relation therewith.

Nuts 42 are threaded to the outer ends of these postsfor clamping thereto of electricalconductors (not shown). The post heads 41,

which constitute fixed contacts for the switch,v

standing buttons 46 each adapted to engage I with one fixed contact when the parts are in the position shown in Figs. 3 and 10. This requires the brush to assume an oblique position within the switch box because of the oifset disposition of the two fixed contacts (see Figs. 7, 9 and 10). The-brush has a mounting within a channel 47 extending longitudinally in the face of an insulated block 48 to which it may be connected in its center region by a pin or hollow rivet 49, as shown.

Extending laterally from opposite sides of the block at one. end are lugs 50 forming a widened head the purpose of which is to steady against tilting. The under side of the block is provided with a longitudinal slot 51 extending from its widened end for a portion of its length (see Figs. 9 and 10). This slot constitutes a guide way in which is received a lug 52 upstanding from the box bottom 35. Near the other end of the block on its under side is a hole 53 in which is loosely fitted the proximate end of the pin 30 which projects from the plunge r. 16. This .pin extends through the slot 31 in the walls of the lock housing and also through an L-shaped slot in the bottom ofthe switch box. As shown, this slot has two branches, one 54 longitudinal, and the other 55 lateral,.the former being in substantial parallelism with the axis of the piungerand in linewith the lug 52, and the latter in right angular relation thereto. The pin 30 may accordingly proceed in either of two angular directions from the intermediate position shown in Fig. 8, one of these movements requiring a reciprocation of the plunger and the other an osclllation thereof. From one, end of the switch I "requires'the application of aturning force to the control lever 17 with a consequent operation which proceeds through a single stage. During this movement there can be no advance of the locking bolt because the pin 30 is disposed within the lateral branch of the L-slot, by which it is prevented from any longitudinal movement. From the position of Figs. 8 and 9, the movement of the parts proceeds through a second stage of operation. This requires a manipulation of the control which works through the lock cylinder,'i. e., the key 22. As a result of this operation, the plunger 16, together with the locking bolt 18, is advanced to a position'where rotation of the steering post C may be interfered with. During this movement the block 48 executes a sliding movement in which the circuit remains broken.

The peculiarities of operation of the pres ent lock are due largely to the provision of the L-slo-t which governs the movements of the two controls. From an on or running position, the parts are moved by manipulation of the handle 17, the switch only being affected during this stage of operation. From this point on, or during the second stage, the parts are under the control of the key 22, the operation of which affects only the locking bolt. Conversely, in restoring the parts to the on or running position, the key 22 is first manipulated, and thereafter the handle 17. Manifestly, if the key be absent, manipulation of the handle 17 will accomplish nothing unless the bolt lies in retracted position in which case this handle can only open or close the switch.

The coincidental lock construction of this.

invention is designed with a view to simplicity and economy in the production and assembly of its parts, and to safety in its operation. This is assured by reason of the use of dual controls which require successive manipulation, the result being that the locking action cannot take place until after the circuit is broken, or, conversely, the electrical circuit may not be restored until after the lock is freed. The means used in the accomplishment of these ends include a two-position bolt, a three-position switch, and an operating connection therebetween which is moved in response to separate controls successively actuated.

bined a slidable bolt, a switch having two fixed contacts and a member movable to make or break a circuit therebetween, the member having a sliding pivotal mounting such that it may move in parallelism with the bolt or be swung obliquely thereto, an operative connection between the bolt and movable switch member, and control means for operating the same, substantiallyas described.

3. A coincidental lock in which is combined a. slidable bolt, :1 switch having two fixed contacts and a member movable to make or break an electrical circuit between said contacts, a box in which said movable member is contained, there being means upstanding from the box for entrance within a groove formed longitudinally of the movable member whereby the latter is slidably and pivotally guided thereby, an operative connection between the bolt and said movable member, and control means for operating the same, substantially as described.

.4. A coincidentallock in which is combined a bolt, an electrical switch, a housing for the bolt having in its walls a through slot adjacent the switch and open at one end,-

means associated with the switch for closing the open slot end, means by which the switch is fastened to the bolt housing, a connection extending laterally from the bolt through the slot for loose engagement with the switch, and control means for operating the same, substantiallv as described.

5. A coincidental lock in which is combined a bolt, a slotted housing in which the bolt is mounted, the slot extending through the housing walls so as to be open along one side and upon one end thereof, a switch a1- fixed to the housing over the slot side, means depending from the switch for closing the slot end, a connection extending laterally from the bolt through the slot for loose engagement with the switch, and operating means for the same, substantially as described. I

6. In combination, a housing in which is mounted a locking bolt and on which is carried a switch comprising a box having its bottom rested against the housing, a closure of insulating material applied over the box top, screw means extending from the closure through the box for threaded connection with the housing, a movable switch element contained within the box and connected with the boltwithin the housing for operation concurrently therewith, and fixed electrical contacts supported by the closure adapted to be engaged by the movable switch element, substantially as described.

7. In combination, a housing in which is a locking bolt and on which is a switch comprising a box having a removable insulated closure for one side-thereof tlrough which are extended a pair of fixed electrical contacts, screw means extending from the closure through the box for threaded connection with the housing, a movable switch element within the box adapted to cooperate with the fixed contacts therein, and an operative connection between the movable switch element "and the locking bolt, substantially as dethe bolt is advanced and the switch is. opened,

a control means for the bolt adapted to move said, connection through one branch of the guideway, and a second control means for the switch adapted to move said connection through the other branch of the guideway.

9: A two-stage coincidental lock in which is combined a bolt, an electrical switch, an operative connection therebetween, means forming a guideway wherein said connection is movable, the guideway being so disposed re1ative to said connection that the latter occupies aposition at one end of the guideway when the bolt is retracted and the switch is closed and a position at the opposite end of the guideway when the bolt is advanced and the switch is opened, a control means for the bolt adapted to move the connection through one portion of theguideway, and a second control for the switch adapted to move the connection through another portion of the guideway, the two-stage operation requiring movement of the connection 'through both portions of the guideway. P

10. A two-stage coincidental lock in which is combined a bolt, an electrical switch including a movable element adapted to occupy a single circuit closing position or either of two other positions in Whichthe circuit is.

open, an operative connection between the bolt and movable switch member, means forming a guideway wherein said connection 1s movable, the guideway being so disposed relative to said connection that the latter oc-- cupies a position at one end of the guideway 'adapted successively to move the parts through a two-stage operation, in the first of which the connection moves through a portion of the guidcway to open the switch and in the second of which the connection moves through a succeeding portion of the guideway to advance thebolt.

11. A two-stage coincidental lock inwhich is combined a two-position bolt, a three-position switch component, an operative connec-l tion therebetween, means forming a guideway wherein said connection is movable, the guideway being so disposed relative to said at one end of the guideway when the bolt is retracted and the switch is closed and a position at the opposite end of the guideway when the bolt is advanced and the switch is opened, and dual control means, one for the switch component and the other for the bolt, adapted successively to move the switch component from a first to a second position, and thereafter to move the switchcomponent and connection that the latter occupies a position bolt in unison, the former from its second to a third position, and the latter from a first to a second position, I

12. A coincidental lock in which is com bined a two-position s'lidable bolt and a threeposition switchcomponent movable both pivotally and slidably, an operative connection between the bolt and switch component, the

guideway being so disposed relative to said connection that the latter occupies a position at one end of the guideway when thejbolt is retracted and the switch is closed and a position at the opposite end of the guideway when the bolt is advanced and the switch is opened, and dual control means, one for the switch component and the other for the bolt, adapted successively to move the switch component from a first to a second position, and thereafter to move the switch component and-bolt in unison, the former from its second to a third position, and the latter from a first to a second position. v

13. A lock in which is combined a bolt,'an. electrical ignition switch, a control means for the bolt, a second control means for the switch, and means governing manipulation of the two controls such that opening of the switch is compulsory before the bolt may be advanced, and retraction of the bolt is 'compulsory before the switch may be operated.

14. A lock in which is combined abolt, an electrical ignition switch, and means for positively shifting said bolt into looking or unlocking position without circuit controlling operation of said switch, said bolt being connected with said switch and being rotatable to actuate said switch for circuit controlling operation.

'15. A lock in which is combined a bolt, an

nected with said bolt to be held thereby in inoperative condition when the bolt is in locking position and in operative condition and open at the end of longitudinal shift of the bolt 5 to unlockingposition, said bolt after longitudinal shift tounlocking position being rotatable to close said switch.

17. A look comprising in combinationa bolt adapted for longitudinal shift into locking or unlocking position and adapted also for 1 rotational movement, an ignition switch comprising a member connected with said bolt to follow its movements, said member being ineffective to close said switch during shift-i ing of said bolt and being controlled solely to close said by the rotation of said bolt switch.

18. A lock comprising in combination a bolt adapted for longitudinal shift into locking or unlocking position and adapted also for rotational movement, an ignition switch comprising a member connected with said bolt to followits movements, said member being ineffective to close said switch during shifting of said bolt and being controlled solely by the rotation of said bolt to close said switch, and means preventing shifting of said bolt when said switch is closed. r

19. A lock comprising in combination a 80 bolt, a. single control means for shifting said bolt into locking position orunlocking position and retaining it in such positions, said boltbeing' rotatable only when in'unlocking position, and an ignition switch whose operagoln is controlled solely by the rotation of said t. 20. A lock comprising in combination a bolt, a single control means for shifting said bolt into locking position or unlocking posi: tion and retaining it in such positions, said bolt being rotatable only when in unlocking position, and an ignition switch whose operation iscontrolled solely by the rotation of said bolt, and means preventing shift of said bolt when said switch is closed. I

'21. In combination with a movable element, a lockmechanism therefor having a movable part from which is extended a lateral connection, \and a switch having a movable element operable by said connection, the movable element of the switch being in the form of an insulated block, ayplate having a spring connection with the block adapted to be shifted in response to movements of the latter, and fixed contacts with which the plate is adapted to be engaged whereby to make or break an electrical circuit, substantially as described.

22. 'In combination with a movable element, a lock mechanism therefor comprising a locln'ng bolt adapted for reciprocatory and oscillatory movement, an associated electrical switch in which comprised a mounting for fixed contacts and a movable contact, a plate interposed between said locking bolt and said 

